Willow is sick, did I mention that? So a few nights back she's coughing in the middle of the night, my wife has her in bed with us. So, I get up and move to the guest room to get some shuteye. And I kind of started setting up a study down there. It's underground and the exterior windows are under the porch so it's dark and quiet. I joke that I'm in the sensory deprivation chamber while my wife is in the sleep deprivation chamber (in my defense I did take care of the kids all Sunday and let her completely rest the whole day).

So last night I nod off around maybe 9pm, in complete peace. Around 1am I wake up and who is laying next to me in her favorite blanket? Yes, Willow. She got up and came down to be with me. She was completely at peace, no cough and sleeping soundly. I was too tired to take her back upstairs. The darling is feeling a lot better today.

The studio Vampire Counts are coming along quite nicely. They make me happy, I can't wait to play a game with them. Here's what will be done by Thursday.

This is my wife's "seriously?" look. I get it quite often. Really? Really you're doing that?

Saturday morning I headed to Provo with my lovely wife, yes that's this morning. Spring is in the air. The weather is super nice. There are runners everywhere, Provo's a college town. Out in front of my house there are a few green shoots coming up with tiny star-shaped white flowers. Winter showed up late with his coat half on and Spring was like, "Dude, just go back home I got this."

We ran our little errand then went to breakfast at a chic little place called Communal. I little hippie, and they use only local ingredients. Gourmet stuff and totally worth the wait. But you sit at a long table with other people, elbow to elbow which made for a different experience. One guy let my wife try his food which never happens of course at a normal restaurant. Then we swung by the local game shop, which my wife finds a bore, but guess what? she drags me to all sorts of crap that is of zero interest to me. I picked up #1 of 6 for the Kingmaker series for Pathfinder, looks great.

My wife's car was totaled a few weeks ago and they finally picked it up, so she's driving my car around which is kind of sad. Successful businessman... no car.

Then off to work. I headed straight downstairs and started putting together Undead for the studio Vampire Counts army. While I was sorting through bitz a few days back I found a lot of super really cool conversion stuff AND about thirty zombies already mostly put together. I managed a few conversions and three converted zombie ogres using arms and parts from the new Crypt Horrors kit. I'm feeling confident. It's starting to come together.

Then I went to a cottage meeting for State Senate, about eight delegates from our neighborhood. I really should be taking more pictures.

Right now I'm watching Real Steel with my boys. Oh how I love my family. I can't get enough of them. I am amazed at how lovely life it. When I was out with my wife this morning I had a moment of bliss as I put my hand around a glass of water. Such a simple thing, but for a moment it was sublime-- how much joy can come from the senses of this body I am in.

The Revolutionary War (American Revolution) was won by simply holding on for dear life. That's the same with the liberty movement now. Ron Paul is only the leader of the movement. The movement is only going to get stronger.

It will not go away.

Like the Encyclopaedia Britannica the establishment will hold on for about ten years then finally expire.

The only reaction possible to quell this will be for the STATE to use violence in the end. I pray this is not so. I hope with all my heart for the sake of the republic that the legitimate political process will decide the matter.

For example: in the US we vote dictators out of office rather than executing or exiling them. It's more humane that way. If only we would stop electing new ones each time.

I went to caucus last night, held at the local high school. As Precinct Chair I was running the meeting. My first time at it. Last year it was around 24-29 people in attendance so we planned for sixty people on the outside. I arrived early, around ninety minutes before the meeting to review the written instructions I received and make the the nuts and bolts (eg ballots and pencils) were in place.

Inside my own mind I was conflicted for weeks whether to run or not. The day before I had decided not to run for anything except in the case where it was needed or wanted for some reason.

Fifteen minutes before the meeting was to start (at 7pm) we had about twelve people. I thought to myself, great so far so good. By the time the meeting started there were at least fifty people crammed into the classroom with more coming in. I started right on time to the minute, explaining that the main objective was to elect the nine officers with a careful eye towards legitimacy:

About ten minutes in I found out that there were another sixty people outside in the hall! What now? I had everyone line up in the hall, clearing the room, then double-checking to be sure everyone was credentialed. The vice chair, secretary and assistant were all triple teaming this laborious effort. Momentarily we were outside while a few scouts tried to find another room. Thankfully, the wresting room was open. So we filed into this mini-gymnasium covered with red padding and ring marks. On one side three tiers of carpeted shelf-bleachers, just enough for the approximately one hundred eighty bodies all told including observers.

Think of that, nearly five times the attendance of the previous year. There is an awakening in the land!

Now I'm in my natural element, in front of a group of people. And I thank the hand of providence which seemed to strengthen my voice and keep me from saying anything profane or stupid. I have some strange mental thing where I don't get nervous in front of crowds. In fact, quite the opposite I come alive like a ringmaster.

There was a great spirit of cooperation and comraderie in the room. There were ten nominees for the two state delegate offices which is a lot and quite highly contested. The second office was a dead tie which according to the rules is broken by the flip of a coin. When I asked for a coin (joking that all I had were hundred dollar bills) a marine in the audience threw me his company coin (?), a heavy and battered disc. I had the two nominees come out to the center for the toss. The setting (a wrestling ring) completed a memorable moment.

Between rounds of balloting an older lady called me over and asked why I wasn't running for anything. It's not uncommon for a precinct chair to run for a second term (two year terms). I explained that I think it important to take a cue from George Washington: do your service then step down. I had decided before the meeting to let others have a chance.

When it came time for nominations for county delegates that same woman nominated me! I was stunned, but accepted the nomination and took the line with the eight others. We got to each make a one minute speech, then questions, then voting. We were asked who we would vote for president. Romney down the line with one "undecided" but me with "I've had a Ron Paul sign up for six years" Side note: my math is off, it's just over four years. I seriously thought I wouldn't get one of the four slots, and I would have been fine with that, but I did. It was a tie for fourth!

Again with the coin toss, the coin went up, called, then rolled in a long arc across the mat and then into a crack between sections! On the second toss I won it.

All told I was there for six hours. I finally got to bed around midnight and the adrenaline has me up and running at 4am again. Hauling all my tables and chairs out to my van afterwards, I felt bad for the other person who lost out, but then it hit me: in the excitement I had forgotten to vote for myself which would have broken the tie anyway.

I am stoked for County Convention. I'm excited about some of the state senate and congress races. I already have some things in mind for how I'm going to do it better this time.

I don't know how it is in other states, but politics in Utah is a load of fun. It is conducted politely and in a dignified manner. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

The night before last I headed up to Heber with some crew (about an hour into the Utah mountains) to go see Extreme Midget Wrestling. It was too much to pass up. I took some footage and I think I might get that up soon.

On arrival in Heber we went to a combination Taco Bell/KFC for dinner, just to make sure the food and entertainment were equally low brow. I also downed a chili dog once there which dropped in my gut like a greasy lump of coal.

All six of us had ringside seats. What can I even say about this? It was immensely entertaining and a good time was had by all. I couldn't help but think about "pursuit of happiness". We had quite some good conversations on the way up.

We can acquire your models at 25% off (that's for the kits, just the models).Assembly is usually $3-4 per model, bulk rates available for that as well.OR you can send in your models yourself.This special is not retroactive and you should ask for it.

Limited time, limited quantity. Probably going to open just six slots.

I went and saw John Carter of Mars. I'm going to say that it's one of the best sci-fi movies ever. Very, very, very well-done. I read and loved the books as a young man, and re-reading them now. The plot was muscular and tightly-woven. I was emotionally involved with the characters and the action was like two hours of firm brain-stroking.

The only thing that was not true to the spirit of the books: Dejah Thoris was wearing way too many clothes. But I was happy that I could let my kids watch it when it's on DVD. Amazing flick, go see it in the theater. I plan on seeing it twice.

Also, I'm hanging out just waiting for calls and emails for new projects, we are ready!

For those that might be interested, we are bringing on three new people in the coming weeks. You may or may not see them on Youtube. One front office (Michelle found another job, more hours and closer to home), one Painter (now training/testing two new ones, but still have our eyes open for the near future), and one Assembler (this is wide, wide open). We need someone to step in like two weeks ago. That said, we are working over a hump of a few projects during the next week and a half, BUT after that we are wide open and will be working at a devilish pace, so it's a great time to set up a project.

We are getting extremely talented and qualified painters in. Professionals, and professionally trained.

For all positions we are working through a brutal, rigorous selection process. We only want the best for our clients.

And now a really nice letter I got!

Hey Hey Shawn and BTP staff,

To start off, this is not an inquiry about a purchase, so if that's all you're looking for at the moment then please feel free to skip this email.

I'm writing to you today to express my sheer adoration of everything that BTP is and stands for. I've been watching your videos for about 3-4 years now and they never fail to entertain, everything is well explained, good humored, family oriented, and generally amusing. I recently ordered some Eldar (dark reapers) from the scrap yard and they came in just a few days with very good packaging and in great condition (of which I'm sure you're already aware). Alot of companies I've dealt and worked with just don't have the quick shipping and reasonable price line BTP does, or the sense of family and security that comes with dealing with that kind of company. Really I'm just very thankful for everything you've done and are doing, your online presences as well as the things you've talked about in your neighborhood. I'm not an incredible writer, but if I where, I would have many more and elaborate things to say :)

I wish I had the funding to support you more financially, but unfortunately I don't, so I'm not in a position to order anything custom, though I truly admire your work and wish I could. From me to everyone in the BTP staff, keep doing what you're doing, and have a nice day :D

Here's the deal. Our preset army special is where you pay a flat amount and you get a certain army list. There's option A that allows us to paint the army with artistic license for an additional discount. Or option B that allows you to choose the colors that it's painted.

You get to know exactly what's in these armies and you get to see maybe a little demo of how these armies works. All of these lists are designed to be extremely competitive and we'll be doing our best to feature the lists in upcoming battle reports.

I had a dream last night. I was standing in line at the foyer of a large building, like a church or theatre maybe, downtown of a large city. Not a familiar place to me. I was with other parents and their kids, but I was just by myself, no family. This chubby woman with spectacles comes (a teacher?) in through a side door and tells one mother that they have to take her son to "see a movie and do some tests". The parents of the boy sheepishly comply and the boy sets off through the door with the woman.

But I stop her and start asking questions, "Where are you taking him? What is he going to see? What are the tests?" And to the parents, "Don't you want to know what they are going to do with him?" Everyone looks at me like I'm crazy, except the mother who slowly seems to get a sense of recognition on her face.

Then I look around and think, what am I doing waiting in this line, so I go out the door and head down a tree-lined city street. A woman, perhaps ten years younger than me, and dark-haired leaves as well. We're walking at roughly the same pace so I ask if I can walk along with her and talk to her. She says, "Yes, and I'm just as pissed as you are." Then I notice that I'm wearing a life jacket. I can't believe they got me to wear a life jacket when I didn't need it! As I take it off I feel myself starting to wake up.

I turn to the woman and say "Quick! Tell me your name before I dissolve from this reality!"

She does. I won't write it here, but it's not a name that I'm familiar with. Initials are A.K. Or possibly A is the middle name so it's B.A.K.

Last night we went out to Sushi, my wife and I, and we happened across Tori Amos. Apparently her music career isn't going so well as she's doing waitressing on the side. Once home we watched a few episodes of Shark Tank and then hit the hay. We're coming up on eighteen years and couldn't be happier.

Early this morning my wife's bell alarm went off. We're out for a family event up in Vernal, about a three hour drive into the mountains eastward and thence into the oil-bearing plains.

We rented a car since neither of our vans are in any condition to get up into the mountains. It's a black 2012 Dodge Caravan. The kids love it. They want to keep it. But oh well, not in the cards right now. Life is tough in the US right? On the way up Willow had to go pee and we forgot her portable potty chair, but once out in the bushes by the side of the road she lost her nerve and just held it.

At a gas station I came across perhaps the most awesome thing I've seen:I want to go. Should I take the staff this Wednesday?

Jonah started dry horking halfway there, "I'm going to puke." he whimpered. We scrambled about for something for him to throw up in and I grabbed a large soda cup, with a cover and a straw. In the back he and his sister struggled to get the lid off. Such a simple thing except when you're in a hurry. Jonah was convulsing and gagging and me and Tamie were yelling "Just pull the lid off! Just yank it off!" Aaaaaand, whew just in time.

Anyway, once arrived at Tamie's sister's house we changed into our Sunday best for my nephew's ordination as a Deacon (at twelve years old in Mormon-land is when that happens). I snapped this pic of my hot wife.

Yeah, I can't get enough of her. After church family dinner of beans, pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad and orange cream jello. It's a full house, all twelve of my kids generation, cousins, running around

The other day I took the kids to an old timey barber on our main street. It was quite an experience, one I used to enjoy back in Oregon. Straight razor and all. If you look close at the picture you can see two of my other kids in the mirror. They are animated and lively. I can't get enough of them, the darlings.

This morning I got up, a lazy Saturday afternoon, and ate two chocolate chip cran-raisin cookies for breakfast. I knew it was a mistake. Is that was causes the headache? My wife headed down to the farmer's market to pick up our produce for the week. She's out visiting relatives today and also trying to find a new car. We were rear-ended on the freeway on the way back from Salt Lake a few weeks ago.

My name is [P.S.], im a corporal in the United Stated Marine Corps and i just got back from my last tour in Iraq a little over a year ago. Every time you come back from a tour it is kind of like "well what the hell do i do now?" and it gets harder and harder to fit in with everyday people like i used to. Somehow i stumbled upon your Blue Table Painting Youtube channel a few weeks after i got back and i found myself laughing for the first time in a long while. I remember shaking my head thinking "who is this goofy man?" You were showing of the magnetic movement trays and turning them upside down showing off how well they hold. So i pretty much went from being angry and frustrated all of the time to watching your guy's videos every day and cracking up, slowly but surely feeling genuinely happy and more like my old self. Whenever i would have a bad day or wake up from nightmares i would watch one of your battle reports and it would cheer me right up. A couple months later i started with the Warhammer hobby once again and turned painting into a kind of relaxation/ unwinding time where i would watch your videos and paint a squad or a tank for a few hours each day. During the summer my brother got deployed to iraq so i started my own Youtube channel called 'drok cola painting' where i would make battle reports and videos of my latest paintjobs that he could watch while he was over in the sandbox. i was pretty much solely inspired by you to create my own channel because i know firsthand how laughter and exposure to positivity can do wonders for your mind. People always come up to me and thank me for my service and tell me how much we do for the country, but i think it is you guys, the small business owners and entrepreneurs who are the ones who really deserve to be thanked. I just do my job, you guys are the ones who are laying down your livelihoods and creating new jobs, i would say that takes just as much courage as stepping onto the battlefield. Basically i just want to say thank you, you guys produce outstanding miniatures and uplifting videos with just the right amount of goofiness, entertainment, and bad dice rolling with some teaching thrown in. At the very least you have definitely helped one old veteran get his head back on straight. I'm going back to Afghanistan in November but i will get to go to Adepti-con in Chicago this April so maybe i will see you guys there. Once again thank you, and keep up the great videos.